The Australian Olympic Team received a $500,000 Victorian Government funding boost today, to help support the team’s Victorian athletes competing at the Beijing Olympics in August.

Minister for Sport and Recreation, James Merlino, joined Olympic Gold-Medallists Rower Nick Green, Sailor Mark Turnbull, Aerial Skier Alisa Camplin and Hockeyroo Claire Mitchell-Taverner, saying the funding would help support the Victorian contingent at the 2008 Olympics.

“This funding will play a vital part in preparing and supporting all the Victorian athletes who are selected as part of the Australian Olympic Team,” Mr Merlino said.

“It will go towards taking care of the logistical requirements so that all our athletes need to do is step on the plane and concentrate on competing at the highest level,” he said.

The Victorian Olympic Council (VOC) has the task of raising $2.03 million towards a national target of $5.85 million.  The remainder of the Victorian target will be raised at the Prime Minister’s Olympic Dinner in July.

Mr Merlino said the funding builds on the Victorian Government’s $1 million “Project Beijing’ grant to the Victorian Institute of Sport to deliver a range of programs and activities to benefit athletes in targeted sports in the lead-up to the 2008 Games.

“The Victorian Government is committed to providing our athletes with every opportunity to make a significant contribution to Australia’s results in China,” Mr Merlino said.

At the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, Victorian athletes accounted for 36 per cent of all Australian medals.  Victorians brought home 48 per cent of Australia’s medal tally in 2000.

Mr Merlino said the Victorian Government was also working with the Victorian Institute of Sport and other State Sporting Associations to help develop and support up-and-coming athletes.

“Just last month, I launched a heat tent to help Victorian athletes acclimatise to the expected hot and humid conditions at the Beijing Olympics,” Mr Merlino said.

The acclimatisation tent is part of the Victorian Government’s $1 million Project Beijing VIS program, supporting Victorian athletes with extra equipment and coaching.

President of the Victorian Olympic Council, Nick Green said he was delighted to have 16 Olympic sports represented at the announcement.

“The VOC enjoys a wonderful relationship with the State government and indeed this significant contribution from the State government will ensure that the Australian Olympic Team performs at its best in Beijing,” Mr Green said.